"E-two to C-one! Do you copy? Over."

Clarence shakily pulled out the device and thumbed the transmit button. "C-one here. What's the problem? Over." 

Static sounded over the frequency as he released the talk button. He waited almost impatiently for a response, not liking the tone in Dena's voice. "We have a code seven. Repeat, a code seven. We'll meet in the usual place. Over," Dena's voice crackled.

"I'm on my way. Over and out." The radio gave one last burst of static as Clarence put it back in his pocket. He shook slightly as he stepped down from the running board. He couldn't help but remember a similar set of circumstances several years ago. Those circumstances had led to the death of one of his closest friends. He forced himself to stop trembling once his feet hit the cold ground. He had a job to do right now, and his personal life could not interfere, nor could his growing fear. He'd been trained too well. These feelings had to wait.

He turned to Marie with an unreadable expression. "Take the reindeer back to the stable, then go find Sandra." Without another word, he ran to a side entrance that led to the city, vanishing into the shadows.

Marie watched him leave, whistling a command to the reindeer. They ran to a high dune and disappeared. A growing fear beat against her chest; one she could almost put a name to.